In 2003, Samford football lost cornerback Charles Williams in a four-car crash in downtown Birmingham. His death left the program without a leader on and off the field, but his legacy lives on through the number he once wore.
The No. 5 jersey was retired for two years following Williams’ death. Samford later established the Charles Williams Memorial Jersey, awarding it annually to a player who embodies Williams’ character and leadership.
At the start of each season, Samford’s players vote to select the recipient of the No. 5 jersey. In August 2026, senior Ryan Oliver received the honor.
“It’s such an incredible honor and really I’m just grateful to my teammates for voting me to wear it this year,” Oliver said. “And I just hope that I can honor and represent Charles and his family.”
Oliver, a senior finance major, was recruited to Samford from his hometown in Oregon.
“I didn’t even know what Samford was growing up,” Oliver said. “Probably couldn’t even point out Alabama on a map.”
Despite being unfamiliar with Samford, Oliver expressed a willingness to go anywhere to play football and already had ties to the SoCon with a brother who played as a safety at the Citadel.
“I started playing football in the third grade in Oregon. And it was always something that my brother and I did together,” Oliver said. “So, it was always a big part of our lives growing up. Ever since I can remember, we’d be throwing the football around as kids and with my dad.”
Oliver’s career at Samford has not unfolded as he envisioned. After redshirting his freshman season, he spent the following two seasons primarily working with the scout team, helping prepare his teammates for game day without seeing much time on the field himself.
Now a senior with no plans to continue playing football after graduation, Oliver didn’t expect to receive one of the program’s most meaningful honors.
“I wouldn’t say any part of me thought I deserved it by any means,” Oliver said. “It goes to a senior every year, so I knew I fit the criteria. When they announced that I was selected for it, I was really grateful and really humbled that my teammates chose me.”
Head Coach John Grass agreed with the team’s votes to give it to Oliver.
“The No. 5 jersey is an iconic jersey here. Somebody special wears it every year. You look for somebody that fits the mold of what we want to represent Samford football, and Ryan is a great example of that,” Grass said. “He is a great leader; he does whatever he can do to help his teammates get better. He is a very encouraging, positive guy. He oozes positive energy out every day, from vocally to the way he does his job, so, I think he fits what we are looking for in a football player at Samford.”
Over the last three years, the players who wore the jersey numbers have been guys who exemplify Williams off the field but also posses extreme talent on the field.
“I’m not the most successful on the field compared to the other guys that have worn it, Jaden Mosley last year, who was a first team all SoCon linebacker and a really, really good player,” Oliver said. “Noah Martin as well and Chandler Smith. I wasn’t honored with wearing No. 5 this year because of any on-field performance, at least, I hope.”
Oliver has stayed in touch with former recipients and hopes to live up to the example they set.
“Knowing how much I looked up to them and what great leaders and men that they were and being able to say that I’m able to wear the same jersey that they wore is really, really cool and such a big honor,” Oliver said.
Sports Editor
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